Machine for forming trays

ABSTRACT

Each end of a tray is formed from a single blank having a main panel, side walls foldably joined to opposite side edges of the main panel, inner fastening flaps foldably joined to the ends of the side walls and outer end flaps foldably joined to the ends of the main panel. The side walls are first manually folded into positions of substantially normal relation with respect to the main panel. Thereafter the inner fastening flaps at one end of the blank are manually folded inwardly into positions of substantially normal relation with respect to the side walls. The blank as thus manipulated is placed in cooperative relationship with a machine having a pair of laterally adjustable mandrels and the blank is arranged so that the inner fastening flaps are in face contacting relationship with the mandrels. A machine flap folder folds the outer end flap toward face contacting relation with the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps while machine adhesive applying means simultaneously and automatically makes an application of adhesive to the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps and finally the outer end flap is pressed into firm and secure face contacting engagement with the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps by automatic machine compressor means. The machine and method of this invention also are effective to form a tray having collapsible web structure including foldably joined fastening flaps at each corner of the blank in which case the web structure corresponds to the aforementioned inner fastening flaps because it is foldably joined to the blank side walls although the web structure preferably is disposed outside and secured to the end flaps which are adjoined to the main panel of the blank.

United States Patent 1 1 Hall et al.

[ 1 Aug. 26, 1975 1 MACHINE FOR FORMING TRAYS [75] Inventors: Miles L. Hall, Clarksville, lnd.;

Lloyd M. Farley, Milford, Ohio; Huston E. Myers, Agency. Mo.; Charles F. Hagedorn, Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: The Mead Corporation, Dayton,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 434,682

[52] US. Cl. 93/41; 93/36 MM; 93/363;

118/242 [51] Int. Cl. B31B 3/60 [58] Field of Search 93/36 MM, 36.3, 41, 46,

93/49 R, 49 M, 50, 56 R, 56 PD; 118/242, 410, 32; 156/578; 53/387 Primary ExuminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Almrney, Agent, or FirmWalter M. Rodgers [57] ABSTRACT Each end of a tray is formed from a single blank having a main panel, side walls foldably joined to opposite side edges of the main panel, inner fastening flaps foldably joined to the ends of the side walls and outer end flaps foldably joined to the ends of the main panel. The side walls are first manually folded into po sitions of substantially normal relation with respect to the main panel. Thereafter the inner fastening flaps at one end of the blank are manually folded inwardly into positions of substantially normal relation with re spect to the side walls. The blank as thus manipulated is placed in cooperative relationship with a machine having a pair of laterally adjustable mandrels and the blank is arranged so that the inner fastening flaps are in face contacting relationship with the mandrels. A machine flap folder folds the outer end flap toward face contacting relation with the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps while machine adhesive applying means simultaneously and automatically makes an application of adhesive to the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps and finally the outer end flap is pressed into firm and secure face contacting engagement with the outer surfaces of the inner fastening flaps by automatic machine compressor means. The machine and method of this invention also are effective to form a tray having collapsible web structure including foldably joined fastening flaps at each corner of the blank in which case the web structure corresponds to the aforementioned inner fastening flaps because it is foldably joined to the blank side walls although the web structure preferably is disposed outside and secured to the end flaps which are adjoined to the main panel of the blank.

8 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATEMED AUBZ 6 I975 sum 2 0F 5 l l l l I l m J l PATENTEB AUG 2 6 I975 sum 3 0F 3 PATENTED AUG 2 61975 FIG. 9D

FIG. 9E

FIG. 9C

saw 25 8F 6 FIG.

MACHINE FOR FORMING TRAYS High speed large capacity tray formers are known which operate in a substantially automatic manner to form trays in quantity and at high speeds. Such automatic high capacity tray formers ordinarily are not readily adaptable for adjustment in such manner as to render the machines suitable for use in conjunction with trays of different sizes. Where conventional metal fastening means constitute the means for securing the inner and outer flaps of a tray together, the resulting tray is not well suited for use in situations in which metal fasteners are objectionable for some reason such for example in situations where active chemicals pose a hazard to the metal.

According to this invention production requirements which are moderate can be adequately and efficiently met and ready adjustability for trays of different sizes may be effected while the use of metal fastening means is eliminated by a method which is partially performed by hand and which is partially performed automatically by machine manipulations. According to the inventiori in one form. a tray blank having a main panel. side walls foldably joined to opposite side edges of the main panel. and a pair of flaps at each corner of the blank may be manipulated into a finished tray by first manually folding the side walls into positions of substantially normal relation with respect to the main panel. Thereafter the blank is manipulated and placed so that at least one flap is in face contacting relation with at least one of a pair of laterally adjustable mandrels which form parts of an automatic machine having an automatic folder for engaging and folding another flap into face contacting engagement with said one flap while movable adhesive applying means which forms a part of the machine and whose travel is adjustable automatically makes an application of glue to said one flap. If desired. compressor means which form a part of the machine may automatically force the flaps into secure face contacting engagement with each other. In one form ofthe invention the compressor means constitutes llap folding means.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which j FIG. 1 is a front view of a machine constructed according to one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is aside view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank from which a container tray or lid is formed according to this invention;

FIGS. 3A and 38 represent folding operations applied by hand to the blank of FIG. 3 as preliminary steps to further forming operations by the machine of FIGS. l and 2'.

FIGS. 3(' and 3D represent operations performed by the machine shown in FIGS. I and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the machine similar to FIG. 2 and which shows the blank assembled as in FIG. 3A and before any machine manipulations are initiated;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 4 and which corresponds generally with the blank arrangement shown in FIG. 3B and prior to the beginning of a machine cycle;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 and which corresponds generally with FIG. 3(1

FIG. 7 is a schematic view similar to FIGS, 4, 5 and 6 and which corresponds with FIG. 3D;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram representing the pneumatic system by which the various machine elements are operated and which includes a schematic representation of adhesive applying means, flap folding means, and compressor means utilized according to one form of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view ofa blank similar to that shown in FIG. 3 but differing from the blank of FIG. 3 in that collapsible web structure is formed at each corner of the blank;

FIG. 9A depicts a manual operation and corresponds generally with FIG. 3A;

FIG. 98 represents a manual operation and corresponds generally with FIG. 38;

FIG. 9C is an end view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 3 and depicts the adhesive pattern principally used in conjunction with that blank;

FIG. 9D is a view similar to FIG. 9C and depicts an adhesive pattern which preferably is characteristic of the blank of FIG. 9

FIG. 9E shows a completed blank of the type illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a view generally similar to FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a view generally similar to FIG. 5; and in which FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view somewhat similar to FIG. 1 and which represents an application of the machine to the carton blank shown in FIG. 9.

With reference particularly to FIGS. I and 2, the numeral l is used to designate a pedestal mounted on a base (not shown) and which constitutes support structure for the machine. The numeral 2 is used to designate generally the frame structure of the machine.

The pedestal l is interconnected with the frame of the machine by suitable connection with the tie bars 2A and 2B which are secured in any suitable manner with the frame structure of the machine. The connection between pedestal l and tie bars 2A and 28 may be by weldings. by clamps. or by any other suitable means.

After the carton blank of FIG. 3 is manipulated by hand into the U-shaped configuration represented by FIG. 3A and after the inner flaps D and E of the blank are manipulated into the positions depicted in FIG. 3B, the carton structure as thus formed by hand is inserted onto the machine and the primary support therefor is by means of the left mandrel designated by the numeral 3 and the right mandrel designated by the numeral 4. When the blank is inserted. part of the side wall B is disposed betwecn the guide plate 5 and the lower portion 6 of mandrel 3 while the side wall C of the carton is interposed between the guide plate 7 and the lower downwardly tapered portion 8 of right hand mandrel 4. Guide plates 5 and 7 are configured so as to facilitate the passage and proper orientation of the carton side walls B and C. Rollers 5A and 7A serve to hold the side walls B and C snugly against the sides of mandrels 3 and 4 respectively. This operation causes the inner flaps D and F to lie immediately above the upper surfaces 9 and II) respectively of mandrels 3 and 4.

The arm VIA of valve Vl shown only in FIG. 8 is disposed for engagement by a part of the blank after insertion thereof into the position shown in FIG. 5. Valve V1 is an interlock and is arranged to allow operation of the machine only when a blank is in position as shown in FIG. 5 thereby relieving pressure in line 91 and thus rendering valve V3 operable.

For the purpose of holding inner carton flap D downwardly and in snug face contacting engagement with surface 9 ofleft hand mandrel 3, flap holding means in the form of clip 11 is provided. Similar flap holding clip 12 is arranged so as securely to hold inner flap E in flat face contacting engagement with the upper surface of right hand mandrel 4.

For the purpose of applying adhesive to the upper surface of inner flap D, an adhesive applicator 13 is provided and is secured to movable carriage means 14 which also conveniently constitutes support means to which the hold down clip 11 is fixedly mounted.

In like fashion an application of adhesive is made to the upper surface of the inner flap E by adhesive applicator 15 which is secured to movable carriage 16 to which hold down clip 12 is securely affixed.

Mobility of adhesive applicator carriage 14 is afforded by roller 17 which rides along the surface 9 of mandrel 3. In like fashion adhesive applicator carriage 16 is provided with roller 18 which rides along surface 10 of right hand mandrel 4.

For imparting movement to adhesive applicators 13 and 15 and associated carriages 14 and 16, suitable motive means is provided. One such means is observable in FIG. 2 and is designated by the numeral 19. Preferably motive means 19 simply constitutes a cylinder and its associated piston which structure is suitably mounted on support plate 20 which constitutes an ex tension of surface 10 of mandrel 4. Thus with an appropriate application of fluid pressure to the fluid motor 19, the adhesive applicator carriage 15 is driven from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2 thereby to deposit one or more lines of adhesive to the inner carton flap E. In like fashion adhesive applicator carriage l4 and its associated adhesive applicator 13 are moved from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2 to deposit one or more lines of adhesive to inner carton flap D.

Adhesive is supplied by adhesive applicators 13 and 15 from a source generally designated by the numeral 23 which is mounted on transverse plate 24 which at its ends is securely affixed in any suitable manner to the side plates 21 and 22. Adhesive reservoir 23 is interconnected with the adhesive applicators 13 and 15 by means of a pair of flexible conduits designated in the drawings by the numeral 25, only one conduit 25 being observable in FIG. 2. These conduits overlie a series of rollers designated by the numeral 26 which are secured about a rod 27 which in turn is affixed at its ends in any suitable manner to side plates 21 and 22 respectively. These elements 26 constitute low friction rollers and thus facilitate left to right movement of the hoses 25 in accordance with operating movement of the adhesive applicators 13 and 15 and their associated carriages.

Preferably hot melt glue is used as the adhesive and such material is handled in known manner and is supplied under pressure by the adhesive applicators 13 and 15.

After or during which time the inner flaps D and E are plied with adhesive as described, it is necessary to manipulate the outer flap F as depicted in FIG. 3C. This folding operation according to the invention is performed automatically by the flap folder generally designated in the drawings by the numeral 28. Flap folder 28 comprises a pair of supporting side plates designated by the numerals 29 and 30 which are secured atop the plate 24. A transverse rod 31 is secured at its ends to support plates 29 and 30 and constitutes a pivotal mounting for folding arm 32 which is provided with a folding roller 33 at its outer end. The roller 33 is rotatable about pin 34 secured to arm 32. Arm 32 is swung about rod 31 by means of fluid motor 35 pivotally mounted on a transversely extending rod 36 and pivotally interconnected with arm 32 at 37. Thus operation of motive means in the form of fluid motor 35 imparts swinging movement to arm 32 about pivot 31. Appropriate operation of arm 32 as described causes roller 33 to engage the outer surface of outer flap F and subsequently to manipulate that flap about fold line F into the position depicted at FIG. 3C and at FIG. 6.

In order to press the outer flap F into secure engagement with the inner flaps D and E as shown in FIG. 3D and in FIG. 7, a pair of compressor plates 38 and 39 and associated elements are provided. These compressor plates are provided with suitable working surfaces 38A and 39A respectively and are swung down atop outer flap F to occupy the positions depicted in FIG. 7 and are maintained in these positions for a suitable length of time in order to insure that the flap F is securely and permanently affixed to the inner flaps D and E.

Compressor plate 38 is mounted at pivot 40 to arm 41 which in turn is in the shape of a modified Z which is pivoted at 42 to the end of line 43. Fluid motor 44 is pivotally mounted at its lower end 45 and its operating plunger is pivoted at 46 to the lower end of operating arm 41. Thus an extension of fluid motor 44 imparts clockwise rotation to arm 41 about pivot 42 and ultimately forces the compressor plate 38 into secure flat face contacting relation with the outer surface of one end of outer flap F to secure that flap to inner flap D. In like fashion compressor plate 39 is forced into contact with the other end of outer flap F by means of fluid motor 47 pivoted at its lower end at 48 to the frame of the machine and pivotally connected at its upper end as indicated at 49 with operating link 50 which in turn is pivoted at 51 to link 52. Link 50 is of modified Z configuration. Thus extension of fluid motor 47 imparts counterclockwise swinging movement to operating arm 50 about its pivot 51 to force compressor plate 39 into secure pressing engagement atop one end of outer flap F to secure that flap to inner flap E.

After one tray end is completed as represented in FIG. 3D and in FIG. 7 the ends are reversed manually and the operation is repeated on the other end of the tray to complete the formation thereof as is obvious.

In order to accommodate trays of different sizes and more specifically trays in which the bottom wall A is of variable width i.e. trays in which the distance between fold lines B and C as best seen in FIG. 3 is changed, it is necessary to adjust the mandrels 3 and 4 in a sidewise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Toward this end. mandrels 3 and 4 are slidably mounted on a transversely disposed rod 53A secured at its ends in any suitable manner to side plates 21 and 22. In like fashion the downwardly extending portions 6 and 8 of mandrels 3 and 4 respectively are slidably mounted on transversely disposed rod 538 which is secured at its ends to side walls 21 and 22 in any suitable manner.

In order to impart sidewise sliding relative movement to mandrels 3 and 4. an adjustment crank 54 is journally related at 55 with side wall 22 and at 56 with side wall 21. In addition this crank is threadedly related as indicated generally at 57 with downwardly extending portion 6 of mandrel 3 and at 58 with downwardly extending portion 8 of mandrel 4. Threads 57 and 58 are formed in opposite directions so that turning the handle 59 of crank 54 in one direction, imparts movement to mandrels 3 and 4 which is in opposite directions. Thus by turning the crank 59, the mandrels 3 and 4 may be moved closer to or farther from each other thereby to accommodate trays or boxes having different widths between fold lines B and C as best shown in FIG. 3.

With the hot melt reservoir 23 at a proper operating temperature and with the air supply through valve T turned onto the' system from a suitable reservoir through filter F. pressure regulator R and lubricator L, the carton elements are manipulated by hand into the positions depicted in FIGS. 38 and 4. Thereafter the carton is inserted into the machine so that the parts occupy the positions as schematically represented in FIG. 5 and the machine is ready to perform an operating cycle. The operator depresses palm buttons 60 and 61 and maintains these buttons in depressed condition throughout an operating cycle. Under these conditions and as is best shown in FIG. 8, fluid pressure is supplied from main conduit 62, through supplementary conduit 63. palm buttoms 60 and 61, conduits 64 and 65 to the spool of control valve V12. Movement of the spool of valve V12 interconnects fluid motor 35 through valve V12 with conduit 66 and initiates operating movement of fluid motor 35 as spent fluid is discharged to atmosphere. Operation of fluid motor 35 imparts swinging movement to flap folder arm 32 about pivot 31.

Operating arm 32 is provided with a control arm 32A which engages trip element 328 on valve V13 as is best shown in FIG. 2 which action in turn supplies fluid pressure from conduit 67, valve V13, conduit 68. to the spool of valve V3. This action causes fluid pressure to flow from main conduit 62 through auxiliary conduits 69, 70 and 71 to cylinders 19 to cause retraction of the adhesive applicator carriages l4 and 16 and their associated adhesive applicators 13 and 15. Operation of valve V3 also supplies fluid pressure through conduit 73, normally open valve V4, through shuttle valve SV2 and conduit 74 so as to actuate the pilot of valve V5 which in turn supplies control pressure through conduits 72 and 76 to adhesive applicators 13 and to cause those applicators to deposit adhesive atop the inner flaps D and E as the adhesive carriages retract.

As adhesive applicator l3 and its associated tripping device 13A retracts. the tripping element 13A engages trip element 138 of valve V6. This action opens valve V6 and supplies pressure from auxiliary conduit 77 through valve V6. conduit 78 to shuttle valve SV] and in turn to the spool of valve V4 to operate V4 and to shut off fluid pressure in line 74. Valve V5 is operated to exhaust the pressure in conduits 72 and 76 thereby to shut off the flow of adhesive from adhesive applicators I3 and 15. Tripping device 13A is adjustably secured to the adhesive applicator carriage 14 so that its position may be shifted from left to right and vice versa as viewed in FIG. 2. By this means the cut off point of adhesive application is rendered adjustable thereby to accommodate trays whose inner and outer flaps are of different dimensions. Simultaneously pressure fluid is supplied through conduit 79 to the spool of valve V16 causing V16 to isolate pressure in the hot melt pump line 80 from its supply line 81 and so as to interconnect the righthand side of piston P with atmosphere through conduit 80 to allow spring S to restore the hot melt pump to its normal condition of readiness for operation during a succeeding operating cycle.

Pressure fluid through conduit 77, valve V6, conduit 78. shuttle valveSVl, line 79 to the spool of valve V4 maintains valve V4 in closed position and thus precludes an application of glue until a subsequent operating cycle.

When flat folder 32 moves to its ultimate flap folding position, control arm 32A engages operating arm 32C of valve V14 and thus supplies pressure fluid from conduits 68., 80A and 81A to valve V7 through valve V14. When one fluid motor 19 is fully retracted, an arm 19A engages operating arm 19B of valve V7 and conditions that valve to supply pressure fluid through valve PVl via conduits 82 and 83 to valve V8, check valve CV1 and regulator R2 being arranged as shown. This application of pressure shifts the spool of valve V8 and applies operating pressure from conduit 84 through valve V8 and conduits 85 and 86 to impart operating movement to fluid motors 44 and 47 to cause those fluid motors to complete an operating movement of compressor plates 38 and 39. Operating pin 47A on fluid motor 47 trips operating arm 47B of valve V9 when fluid motor 47 completes its movement toward an operated condition. Opening of valve V9 sends a signal from conduit through conduit 87, pressure regular R1 and check valve CV to time delay valve TDl which after an appropriate time delay, actuates the spool of valve V8 by supplying pressure through conduit 88 to shift the spool and impart fluid pressure through conduits 89 and 89A to fluid-motors 44 and 47 and thus to cause those fluid motors to retract and to withdraw compressor plates 38 and 39 to their initial positions.

The tray as shown in FIG. 3D is then withdrawn and the other end of the tray is completed as described.

As the tray is removed V1 automatically returns to its normally open position. Accessory pin 47D actuates operating arm 47C of valve V11 sending a signal from conduit 90A through conduit 90 valve V1 and conduit 91 to the spool of valve V3 shifting that spool to its normal initial or starting position thereby imparting pressure fluid to fluid motors 19 through conduit 92 to force fluid motors 19 to their at rest positions ready for a succeeding operation.

Before starting the machine following a shut down, it is desirable to test the glue applying means. Toward this end the hot melt unit 23 is energized so as to bring the temperature to a proper level. A sheet of paper or paperboard is placed atop the mandrel surfaces 9 and 10 to protect those surfaces from an undesired application of adhesivev The push button of valve V15 is actuated manually thereby to supply a signal from conduit 93 through valve V15, conduit 94, shuttle valve SV2 to the pilot of valve V5 which in turn operates and interconnects conduits and 72 to actuate the adhesive applicators 13 and 15. Of course if these applicators are in proper operating condition an application of adhesive is made to the paper or sheet or board disposed atop surfaces 9 and 10 of mandrels 3 and 4 respectively.

Following a test of the glue application system as described, it is desirable to afford an adequate opportunity for the hot melt pump to recharge itself before starting the machine. Toward this end the valve V16 may be operated manually so as to relieve pressure in line and thereby to allow spring S to move piston P to the right hand limit of its travel. Alternately the same result may be achieved by actuating arm 13B of valve V6 manually to impart a signal from conduit 77 through valve V6, conduit 78, shuttle valve SVI, conduit 79 to the spool of valve V16.

The machine and method described above may also be used to form a tray having collapsible web structures at its corners and which is formed from a blank shown in FIG. 9. In this arrangement side panels X are manually folded into the positions depicted in FIG. 9A. Thereafter end flap Y is folded inwardly accompanied by inward folding of web panels B into flat face contacting relationship with their associated web panels a, folding of web panel B being effected along fold lines a and the folding of end panel Y being of course effected along fold line Y. After these manual folding operations the blank appears as shown in FIG. 98.

Since the web structure of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9B is triangular in configuration, the adhesive pat tern must be modified somewhat and toward this end the shorter lines of adhesive represented in FIG. 9D must be employed so as not to overrun the triangular web panels a. This adhesive pattern is to be contrasted with the adhesive pattern represented by FIG. 9C which is employed in connection with the blank of FIG. 3.

In order to change an adhesive pattern from that represented in FIG. 9C to that depicted in FIG. 9D, it is simply necessary in accordance with one aspect of the invention to swing or tilt the adhesive applicators l3 and 15 in a counterclockwise direction to the positions depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. This movement is effected in a vertical plane about suitable pivots such as 15A and may be manually effected in any suitable manner.

Following appropriate tilting of the adhesive applicators l3 and 15, the carton as shown in FIG. 9B is inserted into the machine and is related therewith as represented in FIG. ll. Following this manual operation it is simply necessary to start the machine as described above by depressing palm buttons 60 and 61. Folding of the end flap Y is not accomplished by the folding arm 32 since this flap has already been folded manu ally. Instead, in this modification of the invention, the folding arm 32 simply operates and sets in motion the various control functions as described above but does not actually effect folding. Furthermore in this modification of the invention the compressor elements 38 and 39 effect both folding and compression of the web pancls a and B by simply engaging the webs a and by ma nipulating these webs about the fold lines X so as to force web panels B into flat facc contacting relation with the outer surfaces of end panel Y. Upon completion of this folding operation this carton appears as shown in FIG. 9E which corresponds generally with FIG. 3D.

As is obvious from the above description, compressor means 38 and 39 perform folding operations in connection with the blank of FIG. 9. Thus these elements in the claims are recited as folding means and of course perform the compressor function described in connection with the blank of FIG. 3.

From the above description it is apparent that an improved machine and method have been provided by which moderate production levels are effectively achieved in such a manner as to produce trays whose size may vary and in which mctal fasteners are conr pletely eliminated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as fol lows:

1. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps tr each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat face contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable generally parallel relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap. flap holding means mounted on and movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed face contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means arranged to impart swinging movement to said other flap so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding means and of said adhesive applicator means being coordinated so that said flaps are secured together in face contacting relation immediately following an application of adhesive to said one flap.

2. A machine according to claim I wherein said ad hesive applicator means is tiltable in the general direction of movement thereof so as to vary the distance of adhesive application on said inner end flap.

3. A machine according to claim I wherein said other flap is swung in the general direction of adhesive applying movement of said adhesive applicator means.

4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein swinging movement of said other flap causes sequential engagement of said other flap with said one surface of said one flap which is in the same order as that in which adhesive is applied to said one flap.

5. A machine for securing in face contacting relation a pair of inner fastening flaps forming parts of a single carton blank to an outer end flap also forming a part of said blank, said machine comprising a pair of mandrels having working surfaces disposed in a common plane and arranged respectively to receive said inner fastening flaps in flat face contacting relation, a pair of adhesive applicators movable generally parallel relative to said inner fastening flaps for respectively applying adhesive thereto, a pair of flap holders mounted respectively on said adhesive applicators for respectively holding said inner fastening flaps in position relative to said mandrels, a flap folder engagcable with said outer end flap and operable to swing said outer end flap into face contacting engagement with the surfaces of said inner flaps to which adhesive has been applied, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said pair of adhesive applicators and to said flap folder.

6. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps to each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat facc contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap, flap holding means mounted on and movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed facc contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means cngagcable with the other of said flaps and arranged to impart swinging movement thereto so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding means being effective to initiate operation of said adhesive applicator means and to impart operating movement to said flap holding means in such manner as to expose one surface of said one flap for face contacting engagement with said other flap immediately following an application of adhesive to said one surface of said one flap.

7. A machine for securing in face contacting relation an inner end flap and a pair of outer fastening flaps forming parts of a single blank said machine comprising a pair of mandrels having working surfaces disposed in a common plane and arranged to receive said inner end flap in flat face contacting relation, a pair of adhesive applicators movable relative to said inner end flap for applying adhesive thereto, a pair of flap holders mounted respectively on said adhesive applicators for holding said inner flap in position relative to said mandrels a pair of flap folders engageable with said outer fastening flaps respectively and operable to swing said outer fastening flaps into face contacting engagement with the surface of said inner end flap to which adhesive has been applied, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said pair of adhesive applicators and to said pair of flap folders.

8. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps to each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat face contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap, adjustable adhesive control means arranged to terminate the application of adhesive to said one flap in a manner to accommodate carton blanks having different flap dimensions, flap holding means movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed face contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means arranged to impart swinging movement to said other flap so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding means and of said adhesive applicator means being coordinated so that said flaps are secured together in face contacting relation immediately following an application of adhesive to said one flap. 

1. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps to each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat face contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable generally parallel relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap, flap holding means mounted on and movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed face contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means arranged to impart swinging movement to said other flap so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding meanS and of said adhesive applicator means being coordinated so that said flaps are secured together in face contacting relation immediately following an application of adhesive to said one flap.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive applicator means is tiltable in the general direction of movement thereof so as to vary the distance of adhesive application on said inner end flap.
 3. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said other flap is swung in the general direction of adhesive applying movement of said adhesive applicator means.
 4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein swinging movement of said other flap causes sequential engagement of said other flap with said one surface of said one flap which is in the same order as that in which adhesive is applied to said one flap.
 5. A machine for securing in face contacting relation a pair of inner fastening flaps forming parts of a single carton blank to an outer end flap also forming a part of said blank, said machine comprising a pair of mandrels having working surfaces disposed in a common plane and arranged respectively to receive said inner fastening flaps in flat face contacting relation, a pair of adhesive applicators movable generally parallel relative to said inner fastening flaps for respectively applying adhesive thereto, a pair of flap holders mounted respectively on said adhesive applicators for respectively holding said inner fastening flaps in position relative to said mandrels, a flap folder engageable with said outer end flap and operable to swing said outer end flap into face contacting engagement with the surfaces of said inner flaps to which adhesive has been applied, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said pair of adhesive applicators and to said flap folder.
 6. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps to each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat face contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap, flap holding means mounted on and movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed face contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means engageable with the other of said flaps and arranged to impart swinging movement thereto so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding means being effective to initiate operation of said adhesive applicator means and to impart operating movement to said flap holding means in such manner as to expose one surface of said one flap for face contacting engagement with said other flap immediately following an application of adhesive to said one surface of said one flap.
 7. A machine for securing in face contacting relation an inner end flap and a pair of outer fastening flaps forming parts of a single blank said machine comprising a pair of mandrels having working surfaces disposed in a common plane and arranged to receive said inner end flap in flat face contacting relation, a pair of adhesive applicators movable relative to said inner end flap for applying adhesive thereto, a pair of flap holders mounted respectively on said adhesive applicators for holding said inner flap in position relative to said mandrels, a pair of flap folders engageable with said outer fastening flaps respectively and operable to swing said outer fastening flaps into face contacting engagement with the surface of said inner end flap to which adhesive has been applied, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said pair of adhesive applicators and to said pair of flap fOlders.
 8. A machine for securing a pair of carton flaps to each other in face contacting relation, said machine comprising a mandrel arranged to receive one of the carton flaps in flat face contacting relation, adhesive applicator means movable relative to said one carton flap and arranged to make an application of adhesive to said one carton flap, adjustable adhesive control means arranged to terminate the application of adhesive to said one flap in a manner to accommodate carton blanks having different flap dimensions, flap holding means movable in coordination with movement of said adhesive applicator means for holding said one carton flap in substantially fixed face contacting relation relative to said mandrel, flap folding means arranged to impart swinging movement to said other flap so as to position said other flap in face contacting relation to the surface of said one flap to which adhesive has been applied by said adhesive applicator means, and separate motive means for imparting operating movement to said adhesive applicator means and to said flap folding means, operation of said flap folding means and of said adhesive applicator means being coordinated so that said flaps are secured together in face contacting relation immediately following an application of adhesive to said one flap. 